Constables in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have enjoyed a long tenure of service.
Pre-dating all other law enforcement, having been established in 1664, the constable was
the law and order of the state until labor unrest in the 19th century helped establish
the more defined local and state police system, as we know it today. Constables,
however, remain a vital part of the law enforcement community by serving criminal
and civil service of process statewide.

The Pennsylvania State Constable is the law enforcement arm of the Statewide District
Court System of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Minor Judiciary. The Constable is
the oldest law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania, and under Act 44-1994, is
required to undergo basic and annual refresher training before being fully certified
by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The Constable may also enforce
all breaches of the peace and make arrests for violation of Commonwealth statutes on
view and by warrant.

Because of statewide jurisdiction constables acts as an effective law enforcement
arm of the Minor Judiciary and Common Pleas Courts, providing service of summary,
criminal, bench warrants, civil process, prisioner transport.